A Great Opportunity: Medical Billing and Coding Jobs in Atlanta, GA

There’s no denying that it’s tough to find a job in Atlanta, GA these days. While a decade ago, you’d have had an advantage living in a city as far as the job market was concerned, nowadays you’re up against the same hurdles as everyone else. If you’re at all interested in the medical field, however, you can find some great entry-level openings in medical billing and coding jobs in Atlanta, GA. These entry-level jobs take only a minimal amount of education to qualify for and there are lots of them available.

Why are there so many openings if it’s easy to qualify as a biller or coder? One reason may be that when people see the phrase “medical billing and coding,” they become intimidated because they think all jobs in the medical field require extensive training. By taking a few minutes to learn more, you may discover that a career in the medical field in Atlanta is closer than you would have guessed.

Qualifying for Medical Billing and Coding Jobs in Atlanta, GA

How do you qualify for one of these entry level medical jobs in Atlanta? These aren’t like jobs for doctors or nurses. You won’t be working directly with patients in a medical capacity as a biller or coder—it’s very different from being a medical assistant in that sense. As a medical coder, you actually may have no contact with patients at all. As a biller, you will be required to talk to patients and insurance companies as well as government agencies on a regular basis, though not necessarily in person. That depends on where in Atlanta you choose to work. You might decide to work at a local hospital or a smaller outpatient center, surgical center, or clinic. Or you may choose to work out of your home in Atlanta by working online. Your employer may or may not be based in Atlanta if you choose this route.

So how do you get started? You’re going to need to get current on the knowledge that coders and billers use in the course of their work, and that usually means taking a course or two yourself. Medical billing and coding courses are offered by universities, trade schools, and online colleges. You shouldn’t need more than a semester or two to finish, which means you can get into medical billing and coding in under a year easily.

What will you learn about? You’ll learn about human anatomy, and the alphanumeric codes that are used to summarize different conditions and medical procedures. If you’re learning about billing you’ll also be trained to process health insurance claim forms and to manage billing accounts. You’ll become familiar with government healthcare programs and medical insurance options. Both coders and billers are trained in data entry and medical documentation. Some, but not all training, crosses over, and it’s relatively easy to switch from one profession to the other since if you’ve been trained as a biller or coder, you already know part of what you need to in order to perform both occupations. Indeed, a minority of billers and coders actually perform both roles at their chosen workplace. This is most common with small clinics which employ fewer staff members.

Finding Medical Billing and Coding Jobs in Atlanta, GA

If you will be doing billing or coding in Atlanta, GA, you’re going to have to find a job. After you’ve gotten your education and passed your certification exam, you’ll want to put together a resume that summarizes your education, skills, and work experience. Do you need to have prior medical work experience? It’s definitely a plus, but it’s not necessary to get an entry-level job in the field. With such low barriers to entry, this is becoming a popular occupation.

Once you have a resume and a great cover letter put together, you’ll be ready to start your search for a new job. Look online and you’ll see plenty of open positions in Atlanta. You’ll notice that billers and coders work not only at hospitals and clinics, but also at insurance agencies and in government offices. This means you have a very wide selection of workplaces. Different environments are good for different people, so ask yourself whether you want to work in a busy, crowded hospital, a slower-paced clinic, or perhaps in an office where you don’t actually see patients. There are so many options that regardless of your disposition, you should find something appealing.

Suppose you don’t like working in an office at all? You may still find a great job doing billing or coding in your area by working online from your home computer. Billing and coding jobs are some of the highest paying opportunities on the internet with the highest level of demand. Demand is only going to continue to grow for this trade according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which projects medical billing and coding to grow at a much faster rate than the average for all other occupations. Working at home allows you to spend more time with your loved ones and to enjoy setting your own schedule and working at your own pace.

It can be tough to find a job in Atlanta these days, but you may find exactly what you need to move forward with your life and start a new career in the medical field. Medical Billing and Coding Jobs in Atlanta, GA are probably going to grow in demand just like billing and coding jobs all over the US. You may even find employers around the country willing to hire you to work out of your home. There are many opportunities for growth and promotion, and some professional billers and coders even go into business on their own as consultants. Whatever your preferred career path, you’ll be able to get started easily with a postgraduate certificate, and then you’ll be on your way to your next job.